Increased demand for milking females ensured a flying trade for cattle at Wright Marshall's Mid-Month Dairy sale at Beeston, where just shy of 348 head were forward, which sold to £2500.

With harvesting complete and cattle settled into winter housing, more buyers were forward, with a total of 57 active purchasers recorded and stock travelling throughout much of the country to include up to Scotland.

Trade was back up to the levels seen in September, with more milkers selling for in excess of £2000 than under £1000. Even cattle with three quarters, and two quarters, found new homes, at £800 per head.

Five of the seven highest priced lots were fresh heifers from GJ Sutton's Rowarton herd from Bent Farm, Astbury, Congleton, to include the lead four at £2500, £2450 twice and £2400.

Dearest was Rowarton Magnificent Eleanor, which calved a month previous and sold giving 39litres to MJ Windward and Son, Tarvin, Chester. She is by Butz-Hill Magnificent and bred from a home-bred VG85 cow by Riverdane Breezer.

Rowarton Magnificent Orchid, by the same sire, and giving 33kg and Rowarton Krusader Tammy, by O-Bee Krusader, which was paraded six weeks calved and producing 39litres, both sold for £2450 each to D and HE Colclough and Son, Sandbach.

Cows also met a firm trade, peaking at £1800 for a second calver by Talent, from PJ Waring and Son, from Beverley, East Yorkshire.

A pedigree heifer from TM Paton and Sons' Swansway herd from Milton Keynes, Bucks, led the in-calf section, selling at £1520. Swansway Bobero Buttercup, by Bombero daughter, sold due in January either to sexed Holstein or Aberdeen Angus.

Maiden heifers consistently sold between £700 and £740 with heifer calves peaking at £300.

Averages: 44 cows £1434.55; 181 milking heifers £1668.09; 37 in-calf heifers £1252.11; 61 maiden heifers £562.00; 24 heifer calves £208.57.

Auctioneers: Wright Marshall